SPRINGFIELD – A stopgap measure passed the Senate today that would put $3.9 billion for various programs and institutions across Illinois. Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago) explains his affirmative vote in the following statement:

“This engineered crisis the governor has created has gone on too long. It was easy six months ago to say ‘oh, it’s bad for those people but it won’t affect me or my family.’ The reality is becoming apparent to people across the state that this budget impasse will have very real and hurtful consequences if we don’t do something. This measure gives the governor spending authority for financial commitments that he chooses to make. Our intention is to ensure that existing contracts and other items get paid to avoid incurring a large and irresponsible bill backlog.”

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Democrats voted again today to authorize funding programs impacted by the governor’s harsh budgetary vetoes. Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago) voted once again in favor of protecting middle-class families and Illinoisans who are most in need of state services.

“This bill is designed to give the governor spending authority for financial commitments that he chooses to make,” Mulroe said. “Our intention is to ensure that existing contracts and other items get paid to avoid incurring a large and irresponsible bill backlog.”

The legislation will fund community mental health services, mental health supportive housing and places like Sunshine Activity Center, that provides respite care for adults with disabilities.

Additional funds, within the legislation, go to funding state universities and colleges for operational expenses, the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board for various grants and programs.

“We have seen a set of priorities that do not reflect the priorities of the state as a whole,” Mulroe said. “This measure may not be the most ideal method of dealing with the problem, but these programs are disappearing, and when they are gone, that’s it. They won’t be coming back. Our most vulnerable citizens, however, are not going away. We need to take care of them.”

Officials from Gov. Bruce Rauner's office and Senate Republicans defended their plan to skip pension payments to make the governor's budget look balanced during a committee hearing this past week at the Capitol.

The legislation backed by Gov. Rauner and sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno would give the governor unprecedented authority to raid local government accounts and skip pension payments to bridge any gap in state spending.

The GOP push to skip pension payments comes even as the state's pension debt tops $100 billion. Studies have shown that more than 40 percent of that debt is due to past lawmakers and governors skipping or shorting pension payments.

Senate President John Cullerton's legal team found reports dating back to 1917 cautioning against the massive debt accumulating for future taxpayers because not enough was being invested in the pension funds. Skipping pension payments now only makes the situation worse down the road, much like skipping credit card payments.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate again voted today in favor of a measure aimed at protecting working families and the middle class. State Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago) voted in favor of HB580.

The proposal requires both parties to continue negotiations rather than causing a strike or lockout. Mulroe supported a similar measure when it passed the Senate in April, and again voted for that legislation in August of last year.

“This proposal provides a process (arbitration) to resolve issues that cannot be resolved during meaningful and reasonable negotiations,” Mulroe stated. “Arbitration is not mandated. It is the last resort in effort to avoid shutting the government down, which could occur because of a strike or a lockout.”

HB580 would ensure that both parties come to an agreement. In the event that the parties disagree, a final offer would be submitted by both parties and negotiations would continue through the implementation of an arbitrator.

“It simply persuades both sides to move toward a mutual agreement,” Mulroe reiterated. “This would keep the doors of government open.”

The measure passed the Senate by a 38 to 17 vote, and moves to the governor’s desk.